Burdens of Friends

Scripture:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)


Application:
When we see suffering, especially in our family and friends, it's tempting to ask the Lord to lift the burdens from those people and transfer them upon ourselves. That's not the prayer a righteous person should pray. What burden can we lift alone?
Not one. Not even our own.
Jesus died for all of us. That also means each of us. Our family members and friends included, saved and unsaved. Only the blood of Jesus can take away sin and lift burdens.
In prayer, God has given us a mighty, mighty power. Like a fulcrum allows a tiny person to lift a massive weight, a believer's prayer transfers a mega-burden from a weak person and places it upon the broad, mighty shoulders of Jesus. He can lift and carry away any problem. Even those of others.
Our prayers are important to get things moved.


Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, being made righteous by Your sacrifice, we pray for those who are burdens on our hearts. Please help them. Amen.